DC region to get holiday gift of mild weather on Christmas Day
The D.C. region is getting a nice holiday gift: The weather will be mild on Christmas Day.
There will be a few scattered showers in the morning. Then the skies will stay mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 50s.
Cloudy skies will continue Friday, but with cooler weather. Temperatures will be in the 20s in the morning and 30s in the afternoon. Rain will come during the afternoon and run into the evening until 11 p.m.
“There could be a little bit of sleet and freezing rain in the northernmost counties of Maryland,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said.
Saturday is projected to be another dry day with temperatures in the mid-40s to 50 degrees. Sunday could bring more wet weather in the afternoon and evening.
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FORECAST
CHRISTMAS:
Scattered AM showers; mostly cloudy
Highs: 54-60
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Christmas Day starts on a soggy note, with showers lingering through the morning — especially south of the District. As the day goes on, a drying trend should take over, although a few leftover rain showers could still pop up in the Alleghenies thanks to upslope winds. Clouds may be slow to break, but any sunshine that does peek through will help temperatures climb in a mild airmass. A big temperature spread is expected: northeastern Maryland may stay stuck in the 40s, while parts of central Virginia could sneak into the 60s.
OVERNIGHT:
Cloudy
Lows: 28-35
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Noticeably colder air spreads across the DMV tonight as temperatures drop into the upper 20s to low 30s. Clouds linger, but any wet or wintry weather holds off.
FRIDAY:
Mostly cloudy, showers likely; wintry mix possible north
Highs: 30s to near 40
Winds: Southeast 5-10 mph
Friday’s weather maker is trending farther north, which should cut down overall rainfall totals — and some guidance shows little to no active weather for areas south of D.C. Still, sleet and freezing rain remain possible with cold air trapped near the ground and warmer air aloft, and even a light glaze can cause travel issues. The highest icing risk stays north of I-66/US-50, with the best odds for icing along the eastern slopes of the Allegheny Front in western Maryland. Most wintry precipitation favors Friday afternoon and evening, with a chance of lingering drizzle and or freezing drizzle overnight as temps may actually warm Friday night, though colder air could hang on in the north.
SATURDAY:
Mostly cloudy
Highs: near 45
Winds: Northeast 5-10 mph
Saturday is set to be a quiet, dry day across the DMV. Plan for partly cloudy skies with occasional breaks of sun. Afternoon temperatures are forecast to reach the mid 40s to around 50, with a light breeze. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset, with colder temperatures by evening and overnight.
SUNDAY:
PM Showers Likely
Highs: around 50
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Sunday may bring wet weather chances later in the afternoon and evening. High temperatures are expected in the 40s to lower 50s, but will likely feel colder as winds increase.